Psalm 51

Psalm 51 (Psalm 50 in the Septuagint numbering) is one of the Penitential Psalms. It begins:

Related Topics:
Psalm - Septuagint - Penitential Psalms

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: Have mercy on me, O God

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Many Psalms include introductory text in the manuscript attributing it to a particular author and sometimes to an occasion. Based on texts of this Psalm, the New King James Version of the Bible introduces it with these words: "To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba." Traditional Christians typically take this at face value, but higher criticism has identified groups of psalms having separate authors, this being amongst them.

Related Topics:
New King James Version - Higher criticism - Psalms

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As a penitential Psalm, it is one of the most frequently used Psalms in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is typically included during the Mystery of Repentance (corresponds to the sacrament of confession in the West), in personal daily prayers, and many of the liturgical services.

Related Topics:
Eastern Orthodox Church - Mystery of Repentance

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